The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has urged private sector organisations, donor agencies, and civil society groups to make sustained investments in youth-led innovations as a key pathway to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building a better future beyond 2030.
Speaking in Abuja at the 2025 International Youth Day Youth Innovation Funfair, themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, Olawande stressed that young people are not just beneficiaries of the SDGs but co-creators of transformative solutions for Nigeria and the world.
“Your innovation is the bridge between today’s Nigeria and the Nigeria we dream for future generations,” the Minister told participants, calling for greater funding, mentorship, and market access to support promising youth initiatives.
With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under 25, Olawande described the nation’s youth as its greatest asset, already driving progress in agriculture, health, education, renewable energy, and digital technology. He, however, noted persistent barriers such as limited access to finance and market opportunities. He explained that the Youth Innovation Funfair was designed to bridge these gaps by linking youth innovators with investors, partners, and mentors.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to:
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Improving policies for youth entrepreneurship
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Expanding access to finance
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Creating opportunities for global exposure
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Ensuring youth voices are central to decision-making at all levels
“Let us leave here committed to empowering our youth to lead in achieving the SDGs and to continue shaping our nation long after 2030. Together, we can achieve the SDGs and go beyond,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, emphasised that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, youth engagement and development have been elevated to a national priority. He highlighted initiatives such as the Nigeria Youth Academy, Nigeria Youth Help Desk, Nigeria Youth Parliament, and programmes promoting digital skills, entrepreneurship, and institutional reforms like those in the NYSC.
Delivering a goodwill message, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the theme as “timely and relevant” for the country. She stressed that the SDGs will not be achieved in major cities alone, but in local communities where real change happens.
“With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, Nigeria is at the heart of a historic demographic movement,” she said, adding that Nigerian youth are already reimagining agriculture, coding tech solutions, using art for peacebuilding, and pioneering green enterprises to address climate change.
“At UNDP, we see daily that when young people are equipped with the right tools, platforms, and trust, they don’t just participate in change — they lead it,” Ms. Attafuah affirmed, noting the organisation’s growing, strategic partnerships with Nigerian youth.
The celebration also featured innovation booths, pitch sessions, networking opportunities, master classes, and cultural showcases, reflecting the creativity and readiness of Nigerian youth to turn bold ideas into impactful solutions.
ADEOLA KUNLE
